Examinations, Courses and Awards

Course SummaryThis module is intended to allow those with experience of arrangement to plan their own portfolio, to work more independently, and to extend their skills and the scope of their arrangements.

Learning OutcomesBy the end of the module you will have compiled a varied portfolio of substantial arrangements for voices, and/or instruments and voices, suitable for use in worship.

Requirements for the selection and approval of the contents of the portfolio The portfolio should include at least three and not more than five arrangements. The length of the portfolio in performance should be between 15 and 20 minutes. One of the arrangements should last 6-7 minutes in performance. Each arrangement should be made for different resources and with a different purpose. The portfolio as a whole should demonstrate variety and range of skills in arrangement.

Specific tasks are identified below. You may select from these tasks, or propose an alternative (or alternatives) of your own. You must draw up a list of the proposed content of the portfolio, including details of proposed scoring, duration, and materials to be drawn upon (including texts where relevant), and purpose/place in worship. The proposal must be submitted to the Course Secretary for approval before the period of study begins (by 31 December or 30 June as appropriate).

If you are taking Module E2 or E3 as well as Module E1 there must be no overlap of materials between the two submissions, nor with work submitted in Part One.

TasksYou may select from these tasks, or propose some or all of your own (see above):

• an arrangement to open a festival service;
• a set of variations on a well-known hymn or song;
• an arrangement based on a plainsong or other pre-existent sacred melody;
• a responsorial psalm or canticle using an existing melody;
• an arrangement of existing materials with a refrain for use during intercessions or communion.

You are free to suggest the materials and the scoring of these arrangements, bearing in mind that the quality and scope of the work should follow on from Module C2 and/or C3 in Part One.

Assessment and satisfactory completionThe portfolio of arrangements should be submitted in notated score. With each arrangement you should also submit the original on which each piece is based, together with a short commentary of 150-400 words outlining the purpose and methods of the arrangement, and evaluating its strengths and weaknesses. At least one of the pieces should also be submitted in a recorded performance on cassette tape.

The assessment is based on your skills in arranging and the overall merit of the work as presented.

All materials for assessment and establishment of satisfactory completion should be forwarded to the Course Secretary and postmarked not later than 31 January or 30 June in the appropriate study period.